Policy Associate

The Nature Conservancy•Portland, OR

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Policy Associate plays a key role in supporting advocacy, public policy, communications and government relations to further The Nature Conservancy’s mission in Oregon. The Policy Associate provides direct policy analysis and research, executes stakeholder engagement strategies, develops policy communications products and deliverables, serves as liaison between the Oregon Government Relations Team and the Strategic Communications and Marketing Team and represents the organization with internal and external parties. The Policy Associate tracks public policies and decisions that directly affect conservation goals, builds and facilitates internal networks, and coordinates meetings, agendas and presentations. This key Government Relations Team member assists in influencing the outcome of policy and strategic communications initiatives in Oregon at the state and federal levels. This hybrid position can be based in TNC's Portland, OR headquarters, or in a location that allows for frequent travel to Salem for legislative session and to Portland for organizational and team meetings. Our dynamic Government Relations Team is seeking a colleague who is inspired by the potential of policy and advocacy to affect change and advance our conservation goals. Working in a nonpartisan manner, we engage in some of the most critical issues of our time at the state and federal level and apply our organization’s vast science and conservation expertise toward enacting good policy outcomes. We are eager to fill this key role with someone who is a critical thinker, relationship builder, attentive to detail, and able to meet tight deadlines and maintain confidentiality while bringing their creativity, energy and optimism to the position. Are you looking for a career to help people and nature? Guided by science, TNC creates innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that people and nature can thrive together. We’re looking for someone who is a passionate, motivated problem-solver. Come join TNC and apply today!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with policy, advocacy, or strategic communications.
Experience communicating with government officials and/or agency staff, partners and stakeholders, or organizational leaders.
Experience researching information from varied sources and compiling it into communications materials, memos, and issue briefs.
Experience in verbal and written communications, with strong analytical, writing and critical thinking skills.
Experience cultivating and sustaining relationships and working effectively with a wide variety of teams.
Fluency in English.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Compliance with background screening process.

Nice To Haves

Self-starting, independent worker with experience coordinating complex projects in a fast-paced, decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.
Experience with legislative, policy or strategic communications initiatives at two or more of the following levels: local, regional, state or federal.
Experience working with lobbyists and policy professionals in the nonprofit, conservation, environmental, or sustainability sectors.
Experience building networks or organizational capacity, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

Responsibilities

Conducts federal policy analysis and monitors congressional, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant federal policy issues.
Actively participates in state legislative and administrative processes; attends committee hearings, lobby visits, budget hearings, floor sessions, commission meetings, and other meetings relevant to TNC conservation priorities and in support of advocacy goals and objectives.
Monitors legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters related to relevant state and federal policy issues; provides research, policy analysis and recommendations on state public policy issues, policy options, agency budgets, and the potential impacts of proposed legislation, rulemaking efforts, and changes in agency policies.
Develops policy communications assets to support the Oregon Business Unit’s and Western Division’s policy advocacy and strategic communications needs, including talking points, testimony, one-pagers, letters to the editor and social media posts.
Attends and takes notes at committee hearings, lobbying visits, floor sessions, agency commission meetings, and other relevant venues in support of TNC conservation priorities.
Works with Marketing and Communications and Government Relations teams to produce state and federal policy briefs to help educate elected officials, partner organizations, board of trustees members, and the general public.
Assures compliance with all state and federal lobbying laws and regulations, including reporting and tracking state lobbying activities.
Some overnight out of state travel for trainings and Washington, D.C. fly-ins, frequent travel to Salem, OR during state legislative session, and occasional travel for organizational retreats. Overnight/out of state travel up to 10% of time.
Hybrid work arrangement with an expectation to work onsite at the Portland office at least once every two weeks.